Officer investigated over gran's car crash death

A police officer whose vehicle was involved in a crash which killed a woman is being investigated on suspicion of causing her death by dangerous driving, a coroner has heard.

An inquest was opened on Thursday into the death of grandmother Sharron Hall, 64, who died when her car was in collision with a police car in Whitehaven, Cumbria, on 19 January.

The police vehicle, driven by a male officer aged in his 20s, was one of three which were responding to a separate emergency at the time.

Assistant coroner for Cumbria Margaret Taylor said the officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries and the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The crash happened on the B5295 at Cleator Moor Road and Ms Hall was airlifted to Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Cockermouth Coroner's court heard.

She died the following day - a week before her 65th birthday - and the crash also claimed the life of her dog Jack.

Outlining some brief circumstances, Ms Taylor told the hearing: "The first police vehicle passed Ms Hall's vehicle near to the leisure centre on Cleator Moor Road and the second police vehicle crashed into Ms Hall's vehicle.

"The third police vehicle arrives at the crash site within seconds.

"At this stage — and I do emphasis only at this stage — it appears that the police vehicle moved to the other side of the road and the driver is now under suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

The cause of Ms Hall's death, offered to the coroner, was multiple injuries and a road traffic collision.

Ms Taylor said because of the police proceedings, the inquest had to be suspended and it was not known if and when it may be resumed.

The IOPC said their inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing and the officer was also under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

In a statement, relatives of Ms Hall described her as a "special, caring woman who would give her help willingly to anyone who asked for it".

Ms Hall had worked at Howgill Family Centre in Cleator Moor for more than 20 years which she loved, her family said.

"She had a full and joyful life which was full of love and she will be sorely missed by her family and friends," they added.

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